Senate, on 28-21 vote, passes bill to increase state gas tax

The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would raise the state’s gas tax by 10 cents per gallon. The vote was 28-21 and soon after the bill passed the Senate at about 12:30 p.m. today, the Iowa House started debating the measure about 15 minutes later.

Iowa roads and bridges “are in pretty rough shape,” according to Senator Tod Bowman, a Democrat from Maquoketa — the bill’s floor manager in the Senate.

“By working together we solve a huge problem for Iowa and strengthen Iowa’s economy for the years to come,” Bowman said.

The bill passed the senate with the support of both Democrats and Republicans.

“Now it’s time to say yes or no,” said Senator Tim Kapucian, a Republican from Keystone who voted for the bill. “Now’s the time to decide.”

Senators who spoke against the bill said they agree there’s a need for more money to repair Iowa’s roads and bridges, but they said raising the gas tax wasn’t the answer.